Football
Exclusive: Former Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Tipped for Sensational Serie A Return with Inter
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca may make a stunning return to Italy with Inter Milan. After leaving Chelsea due to disagreements, Maresca is being considered to replace Cristian Chivu at Inter. His success at Chelsea and ability to work with a large squad make him an attractive option for the Serie A giants. Maresca's potential return to Italy is highly anticipated.
Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 by Warren Little | Getty Images
Enzo Maresca could be offered a sensational return to Italy with one of Serie A’s biggest names, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The former Chelsea head coach, who left Stamford Bridge earlier this month after publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy, is understood to boast admirers at Internazionale following his achievements in west London.
Despite putting them in a strong position to secure what would be a 21st league title, Cristian Chivu’s position at the San Siro is understood to be far from secure having come under severe pressure prior to the Christmas period.
Those doubts have prompted the Nerazzurri’s hierarchy to begin compiling a list of possible replacements, with Maresca’s name chief among them.
Although his relationship with The Blues’ owners eventually soured, the 45-year-old amassed a more than creditable body of work after being appointed in the summer of 2024, securing Champions League qualification and the Europa Conference League trophy before overseeing a successful World Club Championship campaign last summer.
However, Inter chiefs are also thought to be impressed by his ability to work with a large squad, having inherited a bloated playing staff following his arrival from the King Power Stadium.
Having trimmed that, at the behest of Chelsea’s hierarchy, Maresca also demonstrated he can be ruthless when required.
STATURE
Those, combined with an innovative brand of football, are all pre-requisites to be considered for a role at a team of the Narazzurri’s stature given the weight of expectation upon their shoulders.
Although details of his severance package remain a closely guarded secret, The Blues are unlikely to have placed severe constraints upon Maresca securing a position in Europe.
England, however, could be a different matter with Manchester City, where he was previously employed as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, thought to view him as a potential appointment when the Catalan eventually chooses to depart.
Maresca would relish the prospect of returning to the Etihad. But, having begun his career in Italy, Inter are also bound to appeal.
Aged 45, Maresca’s first professional appearance came for West Bromwich Albion despite hailing from Campania.
He then joined Juventus before going on to represent the likes of Fiorentina, Olympiacos, Hellas Verona, Sampdoria and Palermo before turning to coaching.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.